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Our departmental ASK Advisers

Sometimes you have a quick query that might best be answered by someone within your department - but you don't want to bother your tutor with it. You might want to know how to format a reference for a particular resource used only in your discipline - or what a particular term used in your subject means. In term-time, you may be able to consult an ASK Adviser.

ASK stands for Academic Skills and Know-how. ASK Advisers are postgraduate research students in your department who are trained and mentored by the Study Advice team. Like Study Advisers, they can't proof read your work, or give you specific answers to your assignments. But they do have local experience of how things work in your department, and are uniquely placed to give you advice based on their knowledge and experience. And if your query is beyond their scope, they'll suggest the best person for you to contact, whether that's your tutor, a Study Adviser, or a librarian.

Classics - Rebecca Rusk

About Rebecca: I am a PhD student in Classics, examining the portrayal of the family of the gods in Archaic verse. I am especially interested in the way that the family structure shapes the relationships between the gods. This study is primarily literature based with some archaeology to support the early material. I completed my undergraduate degree in Ancient History and Archaeology at Cardiff, and my MLitt in Classical Studies at the University of St Andrews. This term I am teaching seminars for first years in Greek History.

As an ASK adviser, I am able to help students with the step up to the next stage of education and to help with academic queries such as referencing, essay writing, preparing for exams or using the library.

Economics - Anisa Butt, Sarah Najm & Zhe Wang

Anisa and Sarah will be providing the ASK service for all students. Zhe will be providing a targeted ASK service for NUIST students only.

Sarah Najm

I studied at the University of York, MSc in Economics, and am now undertaking my PhD in Economics at Reading. I am interested in macroeconomics, energy, and environmental concerns.

As an ASK advisor, I am happy to be there for your study-related enquiries, no matter how trivial you think it sounds.

Zhe Wang

Drop in hours for Zhe (for NUIST students only): 11:30 to 12:00 every Thursday in Edith Morley 179.

About Zhe: I am a PhD student in the Department of Economics. My research focuses on studying effects of monetary policy on unemployment based on empirical analysis of euro area countries. I studied at Sichuan University for BSc Public Finance, then completed MSc Economics and Finance at Durham University and am now undertaking PhD research at Reading.

My role is to help and support NUIST students with various study-related difficulties, like finding resources, referencing; layout design and time management. In addition, we will also organize some social events for you, like visiting London or other nice places in the UK.

I offer a 30min weekly drop-in session in my office. Feel free to pop in my office and let me help you.

Food and Nutritional Sciences - Lucy Turner

Drop in hours: Tuesdays 1-2 in the Food PC room.

About Lucy: I am a first year PhD student in Food Science and Nutrition looking at linking biochemistry and genetics in celery to taste and flavour perceived by consumers: developing a more acceptable product. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Reading in Nutrition and Food Science with an industrial placement and graduated this summer.

My role as an ASK Advisor is to answer any queries in a range of subjects such as starting a literature review, structuring, and referencing for essays. I aim to help you with any problems you may have using my knowledge and experience I've gained from the department.

Henley Business School - Neil O'Brien

Drop in hours: Thursdays, 3.00-4.00 in the ARC

About Neil: I work as Senior ARC Assistant at Henley Business School across both Whiteknights and Greenlands campuses. My undergraduate degree is in Typography and Graphic Communication from Reading University. My MA is in Information Management from the University of West London. I have worked in academic libraries for over ten years in roles such as Library Assistant and Subject Librarian.

Working in the ARC, I have good knowledge of Business, Finance and Real Estate resources, including: books and journals (print and online), case studies, market reports and subject databases.

As an ASK Advisor I can assist undergraduate and postgraduate students with using the ARC and the University Library, referencing, research skills, academic writing, as well as general study and student related advice.

History - Charlie Crouch

Drop-in hours: Tues 1-2.

Venue: History Resource Room

About Charlie: I am a PhD Candidate researching medieval marriage contracts and the uses of marriage as a tool of power by the French aristocracy.

I completed my undergraduate degree in History and French in 2014, as well as an MRes in Medieval Studies the following year. I'm now in the third year of my PhD, and I have taught on the Journeys modules for the Department. All of this experience has given me a great insight into the Department, assessments, and good academic practice.

I am here to help with any queries that you might have concerning your studies. I can advise on planning and structuring essays, using essay feedback to improve, locating resources and referencing, note taking, reading efficiently and other study skills, as well as time management. If I cannot help, I normally know who can.

Philosophy - Steven Wu

Drop-in hours: Tues and Thurs 1-2

Venue: EM G70

About Steven (Thurs & Fri): I am a PhD student in the Philosophy Department. My research investigates theories of justice and desert. I have come back to academic philosophy after several years of teaching English Literature at international schools in Guangzhou and Shanghai. I completed my B.A. at New York University, an M.A.T. at Tufts University (in Education) and an MRes at the University of Reading (in Philosophy).

As ASK adviser, I can help with a range of research and study skills, including essay-writing, structuring, referencing, and understanding feedback on previous work.

About Yanos: I am a PhD student in the Politics Department and my research focuses on applying an Althusserian critique of subjectivity and capitalism to a feminist critique of gender and patriarchy. I was awarded my Politics and International Relations Degree from Reading in 2013 and my Master Degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of York in 2014. In addition to my role as ASK Adviser I also teach 'Introduction to Political Ideas' (PO1IPI) and have given an introductory lecture on Marxism.

As ASK Adviser my role is to help students in the Politics Department in terms of developing their skills for essay writing and research. I am happy to review pieces of work previously submitted in order to identify where improvements in structure, style and referencing can be made but am also happy to advise on matters regarding presentations and research. Please do come by my office, whether it's to practise your presentation or to ask for advice on exams or essays. Finally I am happy to meet outside of my office hours if you cannot make it, in which case please just email me. Just remember I was a student like yourselves only a couple of years ago and I really do sympathise with your academic worries and woes - I certainly shared them during my undergraduate years.

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